Marking implement



R. J. DARST Dec. 5, 1967 Filed May 25, 1965 United States Patent 6 i3,356,440 MARKING IMPLEMENT Robert John Darst, Fort Madison, Iowa,assignor to W. A. Sheatfer Pen Company, Fort Madison, Iowa, acorporation of Delaware Filed May 25, 1965, Ser. No. 458,658 9 Claims.(Cl. 401-418) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The drawings and specificationof this application disclose an improved marking implement having abarrel defining first and second barrel portions, each portion having acapillary fluid reservoir therein. A capillary writing point is carriedby the first barrel portion for continuous fluid' transfer contact withthe reservoir in the first barrel portion and releasable fluid contactwith the reservoir in the second barrel portion. To condition theimplement for use, the barrelportions are separated; thereby withdrawingthe point from contact with the reservoir in the second barrel portionand exposing the point for writing. Upon reassembly of the barrelportions, the point furnishes a capillary path through which fluid istransferred from the reservoir in the second barrel portion to thereservoir in the first barrel portion; thereby back-flushing the pointwhile substantially equalizing the fluid in the reservoirs. Simultaneouswith this transfer of fluid, air passing through an air passageextending between the barrel portions, is drawn from the first to thesecond reservoir.

This invention relates to an improved marking implement and moreparticularly to a marking pen having a tip which is maintained in a freeflowing, fully moistened, ready-to-mark condition.

The use of marking pens has greatly increased in recent years. With thisincreased use, there has developed a demand for better instrumentshaving improved operating and marking characteristics. Onesignificant'irnprovement in this area in recent years was thedevelopment of the porous plastic tip replacing, as it did in manyquality instruments, felt tips which had for many years been standard inmarking pens.

In a marking pen, ink is carried to and distributed over a relativelylarge surface area of the tip by means of a multiplicity of relativelysmall capillary passages.

Evaporation-ofthe volatile constituents of the ink and drying out ofthetip-is thus a major problem in a marking pen, particularly if the penwhen not in use is left uncapped for a prolonged period of time. Theremaining non-volatile ink constituents tend to temporarily clog thesmall capillaries and prevent proper flow of ink through the tip fromthe reservoir at one end thereof to the marking surface at the other.

In marking implementmas in writing implements in general, it isdesirable to have as large a capacity ink reservoir as practical inorder to avoid frequent replacement or refilling. A large capacity inkreservoir is particularly important in an implement such as a markingpen which is adapted to scribe relatively broad lines requiring a heavyink lay down. The capacity of an ink reservoir, however, is limited bypractical considerations, not the least of which is that of controllingthe flow of ink from the reservoir. Such control may be accomplished,for example, by means of a valve or by means of a capillary filler.

The capillary filler has been found to be the least expensive means ofcontrolling the ink flow from the reservoir in a marking pen. In thecase of the usual absorbent capillary filler employing a multiplicity offelted fibers, the dimensions of thecapillary spaces will vary widely,

ice

With some of the capillaries being very fine and some being very coarse.Because of this and particularly because of the fine capillaries, someof the ink which is initially charged into the filler will not properlytransfer to the tip by capillary action, and, consequently, this inkwill not be available for marking. The percentage of this unavailableink will in general increase with the length of the filler for the inkat those parts of the filler remote from the tip must be transferred tothe tip through passageways which are not only long and tortuous butwhich vary in size and thus do not effect a ready transfer of the ink.

In addition, it has been found that fillers which are relatively longgenerally cannot be loaded with ink as heavily as the shorter fillers,perhapsbecause the coarser capillaries in the filler will not support anexcessive height of fluid in the reservoir- It is, therefore, an objectof this invention to provide a marking implement having improvedoperating and marking characteristics.

It is another object of this invention to provide a marking implementhaving a tip which is kept in a fully m0istened, ready-to-markcondition.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a marking implementemploying a capillary reservoir filler from which ink may be drawn moreefficiently and in which the amount of ink available for marking isincreased.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a markingimplement having a more eflicient transfer of ink from the capillaryreservoir filler to the marking tip.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a markingimplement which will automatically recondition and flush the tip withink when the implement is capped and the tip is covered for storage.

gagement with the marking tip and is fully vented for marking.

Other objects may be seen and a fuller understanding of the inventionmay be had by referring to the following .description and claims takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with this invention, a marking pen is provided whichincludes a barrel having two separable sections. These sections beingnormally assembled in coaxial alignment when the pen is conditioned forstorage and being separable to condition the implement for marking. Eachof the barrel sections has a capillary fluid reservoir adapted to hold asupply of ink. A capillary marking tip extends between and is in fluidcommunication with the reservoir elements in the two barrel sectionswhen the barrel sections are assembled to condition the pen for storage.Means is provided for fixedly connecting the tip to one of the barrelsections, this means preferably consisting of an extension of the barrelsection. Thus when the barrel sections are separated to condition theimplement for marking, the tip will remain aflixed to the one barrelsection, and the other end of the tip will be withdrawn from fluidcommunication with the reservoir of the other of the barrel sections andthis tip end will be exposed for marking.

The rearward end of the one barrel section, i.e. the end opposite thetip, is preferably so constructed that the other barrel section may beassembled thereon after it has been initially removed from the tip endto expose the tip and condition the pen for marking. The rearward end ofthe one barrel section effectively seals the capillary fluid reservoirin the other barrel section from the atmosphere while the pen is in use.

Reference is now made to the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a marking implementconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the implement takensubstantially along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the implement takensubstantially along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the implement takensubstantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the connection betweenthe barrel sections of the implement when the implement is conditionedfor marking.

With further reference to drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1,there is shown a marking implement which is constructed in accordancewith this invention. This marking implement includes a barrel consistingof two hollow, elongated, substantially cylindrical barrel sections 12and 14.

The barrel section 12 includes a substantially cylindrical body 15having an internal bore 15a. Integral with the body of the barrelsection 12 and extending forwardly therefrom is a tip holder 16 having abore 16a extending therethrough (see FIG. 3) and the opposite (rearward)end of the body 15 is closed by means of an end cap 17.

The forward end portion 15b of the barrel section body has a reducedexternal diameter, and thus an annular forwardly facing shoulder 18 isdefined on the exterior of the barrel section body immediately adjacentthe forward end portion 15b. The tip holder 16 is still further reducedin outside diameter, and it is preferably forwardly tapered from itsjunction with the forward end portion 15b of the body. The end cap 17preferably has the same basic reduced external diameter as the forwardportion 15b of the body.

A plurality of minute formations such as' the small ridges 19 andgrooves 20 (see FIG. 4) on the forward portion 15b of the barrel sectionbody extend from adjacent the shoulder 18 to a point spaced from the tipholder 16, leaving a clear sealing surface 15b on this forward portion15 immediately adjacent the tip holder. Similar formations such asridges 21 and grooves 22 on the end cap 17 extend from approximately therearward end of the barrel section body 15 to a point spaced from therearward end of the cap 17. The rearward end of the cap is beveled toprovide a sealing surface 23. The purpose of the formations and sealingsurfaces on the forward end portion 15b and on the end cap 17 will behereinafter more fully explained.

Mounted Within the bore 16a of the tip holder 16 is a capillary markingtip 24 which is preferably formed of porous plastic in accordance withthe teaching of Casey, et al., United States patent application SerialNumber 244,196 filed December 12, 1962. 1

One end 24a of the tip extends forwardly of the tip holder 16 and ispointed or otherwise suitably shaped for marking. The opposite end 24bof the tip extends rearwardly into the bore 15a of the barrel sectionbody portion for fluid communication with a supply of ink containedtherein.

The diameter of the tip 24 is slightly smaller than the diameter of thebore 16a of the holder 16 in order to permit air to pass into the barrelsection 12 along the sides of the tip thereby effectively venting theinterior of the barrel section to the atmosphere. The tip 24, however,is held firmly and centrally within the bore 16a of the holder 16 bymeans of a plurality of formations 25 which extend inwardly from thebore-defining walls of the holder into engagement with the tip. Theseformations 25 are preferably in the form of longitudinally extendingribs, and there are preferably four such ribs angu- 4 larly spaced fromone another, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Disposed within and substantially filling the bore 15a of the barrelsection body portion 15 between the tip holder 16 and the end cap 17 isa capillary reservoir element or filler 26. The filler is in fluidconducting relationship with and preferably at least partly surroundsthe inner end 24b of the tip 24. The filler 26 is preferably formed offelted fibers, a large portion of which are oriented in the longitudinaldirection. The fibers of the filler provide throughout the fillerinnumerable capillary spaces and passageways for holding a supply ofink. A suitable filler may be made in accordance with the teaching ofUnited States Patent No. 3,111,702. The capillary filler 26 in theillustrated embodiment is substantially cylindrical in shape except fora channel 27 formed longitudinally in its surface. As will behereinafter more fully explained, this channel permits rapid charging ofthe filler with ink and it also provides a passageway for air insuringthe desired degree of venting of capillary spaces in the filler.

The barrel section 14 includes a substantially cylindrical body 28having an internal main bore 29 and a pair of concentric counterbores 30and 31. The body 28 is open at one end 32, and it is closed at theopposite end by means of an end cap 33. The first counterbore 30 extendsinwardly from the open end 32 of the body to an annular shoulder 34. Thesecond counterbore 31 extends inwardly from the shoulder 34 to a secondannular shoulder 35 delimiting one extremity of the main bore 29, andthe main bore in turn extends from this second shoulder 35 rearwardly tothe end cap 33.

Disposed within and substantially filling the main bore 29 of the barrelsection body 28 is a capillary reservoir element or filler 36 having alongitudinal channel 37 formed therein. The filler 36 is preferablyformed of felted fibers and identical in all respects to the filler 26disposed within the barrel section '12, and like filler 26, the filler36 is adapted to hold a supply of ink within the innumerable capillaryspaces and passageways therewithin. Within the main bore 29 of barrelsection 14 adjacent the end cap 33 are several longitudinal projections38 which wedgingly engage and hold the rearward end of the filler 36. Anannular washer 40 having a central aperture 40a is snugly and fixedlypositioned within the counterbore 31 of the barrel section 14 in firmabutment with the annular shoulder 35. This washer serves to retain thecapillary filler in place within the main bore 29 of the barrel section.The washer 40 has a central aperture 40a just large enough toaccommodate the forward end of the tip holder 16 of barrel section 12.

In order to permit the pen to be carried in a pocket, a pocket clip 42may be attached to the end cap 33 of barrel section 14.

The barrel sections 12 and 14 are adapted to be releasably assembledtogether in a first coaxial relation illustrated in FIGURE 1 tocondition the implement for storage and in a second coaxial relationillustrated in FIGURE 5 to condition the implement for marking.

When the marking implement 10 is assembled for storage as shown inFIGURE 1, the forward end portion 15b and the tip holder 16 of thebarrel section 12 extend into the open end 32 of the barrel section 14,and the open end of barrel section 14 abuts the shoulder on the exteriorof the barrel section 12.

An important feature of this invention is the relationship between thevarious parts of the implement when the barrel sections are assembledfor storage. In the storage condition the forward marking end 24a ofthecapillary tip 24 extends into engagement with and is preferablyenveloped by the capillary filler element 36, the engagement being suchas to insure maximum fluid conducting communication between the tip andfiller element. It will be seen that this engagement of the tip 24 andthe filler 36 places the two filler elements 26 and 36 within the twobarrel sections into fluid communication with one another through thecapillary tip 24, resulting in a novel and highly advantageous fluidsystem for the marking implement. In this system, when the degree of inksaturation of the filler element 26 falls below that of the fillerelement 36, ink will be automatically transferred through the tip 24from the more saturated element 36 to the less saturated element 26. Thefiller elements are preferably equal in size and therefore the systeminsures in effect that the amounts of ink in the elements are maintainedsubstantially equal. Since in marking, ink flows forwardly through thetip 24 from the reservoir element 26, the system will serve primarily toreplenish ink to the reservoir element 26 from element 36, with the inkflowing rearwardly through the tip. This rearward flow of ink toreplenish the filler 26 results in a reverse flushing of the tip 24 andeffectively reconditions and cleans the tip.

To facilitate the free flow of ink through the tip between the reservoirelements when the implement is in a storage condition, there should alsobe provision for a countercurrent flow of air between the elements. Thisis accomplished through the tip holder bore 16a surrounding the tip. Sothat the tip 24 and the tip holder 16 may i be properly positioned atall times for proper fluid conduction and air flow between the tip andfiller element 36, the end of the tip holder 16 is preferably disposedwithin the'aperture 40a of the washer 40.

In the storage condition, the tip 24 and the reservoir fillers 26 and 36should be substantially sealed from the atmosphere so that evaporationloss of the volatile constituents of the ink contained therein may beminimized.

It has been found, however, that the seal should not be provided over asubstantial length since this would result in a possible momentaryincrease in the pressure within the two barrel sections when they areassembled and a possible momentary decrease in the pressure within thesections when they are disassembled. Any such rather rapid changes inpressure could upset the capillary balance of the implement and resultin over or under feeding of ink to the tip 24. Nevertheless, in order toef: feet a stable frictional connection between the barrel sections 12and 14, it is desirable that these sections frictionally interengage oneanother over a substantial distance. To accomplish the desired stablefrictional connection between the barrel sections, the diameter of thefirst counterbore 30 of barrel section 14 is so dimen sioned that itwill closely circumscribe and tightlyand frictionally engage the ribs 19on the forward end portion 15b of the body of barrel section 12. It willbe noted that this frictional connection does not produce a seal becauseair is free to bypass the forward end-portion on either side of the ribs19 and through the grooves 20.

To elfect the desired seal between the barrel sections, the insidediameter of the second counterbore 31 in the barrel section 14 is madeapproximately the same as the outside diameter of the forward endportion 15b of the body of the barrel section 12. It will be noted,however, that the second counterbore 31 is recessed from the open end ofbarrel section 14 by the length of the first counterbore 30, which isslightly shorter than the forward end portion 15b of the barrel section12. Thus when the end 32 of barrel section 14 abuts the shoulder 18,only a very short length of the forward end portion surface 15b willsealingly engage the wall of the counterbore 3 1. v

In like manner when the barrel sections 12 and 14 are assembled tocondition the pen for marking, the end cap 17 of the barrel section 12will be received within the open end 32 of the barrel section 14, andthe end 32 will abut the rearward end of the barrel section body 15 asshown in FIGURE 5. In this position the beveled sealing surface 23 onthe end cap 17 will sealingly engage the annular shoulder 34 at the endof the first counterbore 30 within barrel section 14, and the reservoirelement 36 will be sealed from the atmosphere. The ridges 21 and 6grooves 22 on the end cap 17 serve the same purpose as the ridges 1? andgrooves 20 on the forward end portion of the barrel section 12, namelyto provide a tight frictional fit of the end cap within the firstcounterbore 30 of the barrel section 14, without themselves effecting aseal to alter the pressure within the barrel section 14.

The implement 10 may be assembled by the manufacturer as follows: Thetip 24 is inserted within the bore 16 of the holder to the positionillustrated in FIG. 1. The fillers 26 and 36 are then inserted into thebarrel sections 12 and 14 respectively. Ink is then charged into thebarrel sections preferably in an amount to completely saturate thefillers 26 and 36 therein. The channels 27 and 37 in the fillers serveto permit the ink to flow readily down the length of the filler tofacilitate the charging of ink. After this ink has been charged, the endcap 17 is then placed on the end of the barrel 12 and sealed in place,and the washer 40 is inserted into the open end of barrel section 14 andalso fixed in place against the shoulder 35. The barrel sections 12 and14 are then assembled as illustrated in FIGURE 1 to condition the penfor storage.

To use the implement, all the user need do is to remove barrel section12 from barrel section 14 to expose the outer end 24a of the markingtip. The barrel section 14 is then preferably positioned on the reverseend of barrel section 12 to prevent accidental loss of the barrelsection 14 and also to seal the reservoir element in that section fromthe atmosphere to prevent drying out.

As the marker 10 is used, the amount of ink in the reservoir filler 26will be reduced to a level below that of filler 36 in barrel section 14,and if the marker is inadvertently left uncapped with the tip exposedfor a prolonged period, some dry ink residue may accumulate on theforward marking portion 24a of the tip. When the marker is reassembledfor storage in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, the exposed portion24a. of the tip is again placed in contact with the filler 36 withinbarrel section 14. Since the filler 36 will generally contain more inkthan the filler 26 at the time of reassembly, some of the ink in filler36 will pass by capillary action through the tip 24 from the filler 36to the filler 26. At the same time air to replace this ink will flowfrom the capillary spaces and passageways in filler 26 along the channel27 in the filler and through the portions of the tip holder bore 16asurrounding the tip 24 to the filler 36. Thus a portion of the ink whichhas been used from reservoir element 26 will be replenished from thesupply contained in reservoir element 36 and this replenishment of theink is by means of a reflushing action through the tip 24 which servestoclean and recondition the tip. Each time the barrel sections arereassembled to conditionthe implement for storage as illustratedinFIGURE l, reservoir element 26 will be partially recharged with inkand the tip 24 will be flushed by the ink flowing from the filler 36.The recharging of the filler 26 and the flushing of tip 24 will continueuntil there is a substantial balance between the ink supplies in each ofthe filler elements 26 and 36. When the available ink in both fillers 26and 36 has been used, the implement may be discarded.

Because the point 24.is fed from both ends by the reservoir fillers 26and 36, this point is kept continually moist with ink. The use of tworelatively short fillers in this manner is much more efiicient than theuse, of a single long filler element because in the two fillerarrangement described herein the ink needs to be drawn by capillaryaction over only a relatively short distance before reaching the tip,and there is, therefore, less chance for interruption of the ink flowthrough the random and nonuniform capillary passageways provided by the"felted fibers.

It may be seen that a marking implement constructed in accordance withthis invention automatically keeps the tip in a fully moistenedready-to-mark condition. The ink may be drawn from the capillaryreservoir filler and transferred to the marking tip much moreefliciently and each time the marker is conditioned for storage, the tipis flushed and the reservoir element is recharged.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that many modifications and changes invarious details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A marking implement including an elongate substantially air-tightbarrel, a capillary reservoir element in each end of said barrel, acapillary point extending from one of said reservoir elements intoreleasable contact with the other, said point providing a fluid pathextending between and communicating with said reservoir elements topermit the transfer of fluid therebetween and means for transferring airbetween said reservoir elements, said barrel being separablesubstantially intermediate said reservoir elements to expose one end ofsaid point for marking.

2. A marking implement including an elongate substantially air-tightbarrel, a capillary reservoir element disposed in each end of saidbarrel, each of said reservoir elements defining a multiplicity ofintercommunicating capillary spaces, a point extending from one of saidreservoir elements into releasable contact with the other, said pointdefining throughout its length a multiplicity of interconnectedcapillary spaces communicating with and providing a fluid path betweensaid reservoir elements and means defining an air passage communicatingwith the capillary spaces in each of said reservoir elements, saidbarrel being separable substantially intermediate said reservoirelements to expose one end of said point for marking.

3. A marking implement including an elongate substantially air-tightbarrel, a first reservoir element disposed in one end of said barrel, asecond reservoir element spaced from said first reservoir element in theother end of said barrel, said reservoir elements being substantiallyequal in size, each of said reservoir elements defining a multiplicityof intercommunicating capillary spaces, a point mounted within saidbarrel and provided with an inner end in continuous contact with saidfirst reservoir element and an outer end in releasable contact with saidsecond reservoir element, said point defining a multiplicity ofcapillary spaces communicating with one another and with said spaces insaid reservoir elements, said point providing a fluid path for thetransfer of fluid between said reservoir elements and means defining anair passage communicating with the capillary spaces in each of saidreservoir elements, said ends of said barrel being separablesubstantially intermediate said reservoir elements to expose the outerend of said point for marking.

4. A marking implement including a substantially airtight barrel, acapillary reservoir element in each end of said barrel, a pointcommunicating with and providing a fluid path between said reservoirelements, and means definingan air passage between said reservoirelements, said point and said air passage simultaneously permitting themovement of ink and air in opposite directions between said reservoirelements to maintain said elements at substantially equal ink-airpercentage levels, said barrel being separable substantiallyintermediate said reservoir elements to expose said point for writing.

5. A marking implement including a substantially airtight barrel, areservoir element disposed in each end of said barrel and provided witha multiplicity of intercommunicating capillary spaces, each of saidreservoir elements defining a non-capillary air vent extendingsubstantially its entire. length and communicating with said capillaryspaces therein, a point contacting said reservoirs and defining amultiplicity of interconnected capillary spaces communicating with andproviding a fluid path between said reservoir elements, and meansdefining a non-capillary air passage between said vents in saidreservoirs, said capillary spaces in said point and said air passagesimultaneously permitting the movement of ink and air therethrough inopposite directions between said reservoir elements to maintain saidelements at substantially equal ink-air percentage levels, said barrelbeing separable substantially intermediate said reservoir elements toexpose one end of said point for writing.

6. A marking implement including a first barrel portion having anapertured end, a capillary point extending through said apertured end, asecond barrel portion having an open end sized to envelop said point andsealably engage said first barrel portion adjacent said apertured end toisolate said point and the interior of said barrel portions from theatmosphere, a capillary reservoir element disposed within said firstbarrel portion in continuous communication with said capillary point,and a capillary reservoir element disposed within said second barrelportion for releasable communication with said point when said barrelportions are sealably secured together and means for transferring airbetween said capillary reservoir elements.

7. A pocket type marking implement including a first barrel portionhaving a reduced point section defining an apertured end, a capillarypoint mounted within said point section and provided with an inner endprojecting rearwardly into said first barrel portion and a tip extendingforwardly through said apertured end, a second barrel portion having anopen end sized to envelop said tip and telescopically and sealablyengage said point section to isolate Said point and the interior of saidbarrel portions from the atmosphere, a first capillary reservoir elementdisposed within said first barrel portion in continuous feedingcommunication with said inner end of said point, a second capillaryreservoir element disposed within said second barrel portion forreleasable feeding communication with said tip whereby both saidreservoir elements are in communication with said point when said barrelportions are sealably secured together and means defining an air passagecommunicating between said capillary reservoir elements independently ofthe atmosphere.

8. A marking implement including a first barrel portion closed at itsrearward end and having a reduced point section defining an aperturedforward end, a point mounted within said point section and provided witha multiplicity of interconnected capillary spaces, said point having aninner end extending into said first barrel portion and a Writing tipextending forwardly through said apertured end, a second barrel portionhaving an open end sized to envelop said tip and telescopically andsealably engage said reduced point section to isolate said point and theinterior of said barrel portions from the atmosphere said aperturedforward end providing an air passage between the interior of said barrelportions, a first reservoir element disposed within said first barrelportion and provided with a multiplicity of intercommunicating capillaryspaces in continuous communication with said air passage and said innerend of said point, a second reservoir element disposed within saidsecond barrel portion and provided with a multiplicity of interconnectedcapillary spaces in releasable communication with said tip, whereby bothsaid reservoir elements are in communication with said point and withone another through said point and said air passage when said open endof said second barrel portion is sealably secured to said reduced pointsection, and a reduced rearward end on said first barrel portion, saidreduced rearward end being sized for sealable engagement with said openend of said second barrel portion to isolate said second reservoirelement from the atmosphere when said marking implement is conditionedfor use.

9. A marking implement including a first barrel port on having a reducedpoint section defining a point-receivmg bore and an air passagecoextensive with said bore, a point ted Within said bore and providedwith a multiplicity of interconnected capillary spaces, said pointhaving an inner end extending within said first barrel portion and awriting tip extending forwardly through said bore beyond said reducedpoint section, a second barrel portion having an open end sized toenvelop said tip and telescopically and sealably engage said reducedpoint secton to isolate said point and the interior of said barrelportions from the atmosphere, a first reservoir element disposed withinsaid first barrel portion and provided with a multiplicity ofintercommunicating capillary spaces, said first reservoir elementsurrounding and engaging the inner end of said point to providecontinuous communication between the capillary spaces in said reservoirelement and the capillary spaces in said point, a second reservoirelement disposed within said second barrel portion and provided with amultiplicity of intercommunicating capillary spaces, said secondreservoir element being spaced from said open end a distancesubstantially equal to the length of said reduced point section, acollar fixed Within said second barrel portion in locating engagementwith the outer end of said second reservoir element, said collar havinga central aperture sized to receive said tip, said tip being longer thanand extending through said central aperture for releasable feedingcontact with said capillary spaces in said second reservoir element whensaid barrel portions are sealably secured together in a point coveringrelationship,

each of said reservoir elements defining a non-capillary air ventextending substantially its entire length and communicating with saidcapillary spaces therein and with said air passage, said capillaryspaces in said point and said non-capillary vents and air channelpermitting the movement of ink and air therethrough in oppositedirections between said reservoirs to fully charge said point and toreturn said reservoir elements to substantially equal air-ink percentagelevels while said barrel portions are in said point coveringrelationship after use of the imple ment, and a closure mounted on andsealing the outer end of said first barrel portion, said closure havingsubstantially the same diameter as said reduced point section andsealably engaging said open end of said second barrel portion to isolatesaid second reservoir element from the atmosphere when said markingimplement is conditioned for use.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,633,433 6/1927 Boyer et a1.42.16 X 2,547,803 4/1951 Adams 120-4205 2,620,499 12/1952 Dressell5--518 3,195,169 7/1965 Chadbourn 15517 ROBERT W. MICHELL, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A MARKING IMPLEMENT INCLUDING AN ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY AIR-TIGHTBARREL, A CAPILLARY RESERVOIR ELEMENT IN EACH END OF SAID BARREL, ACAPILLARY POINT EXTENDING FROM ONE OF SAID RESERVOIR ELEMENTS INTORELEASABLE CONTACT WITH THE OTHER, SAID POINT PROVIDING A FLUID PATHEXTENDING BETWEEN AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID RESERVOIR ELEMENTS TOPERMIT THE TRANSFER OF FLUID THEREBETWEEN AND MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING AIRBETWEEN SAID RESERVOIR ELEMENTS, SAID BARREL BEING SEPARABLESUBSTANTIALLY INTER-